Jan. 29, 2014

The corner of East North and Church streets / Risden McElroy for Axiom Architecture

Written by

Staff Writer

The complex at the corner of East North and Beattie Place. / Risden McElroy for Axiom Architecture

More

ADVERTISEMENT

Downtown’s momentum makes the redevelopment of the former Greenville Memorial Auditorium site more feasible than it has been in the past, according to a developer that plans to build nearly 300 apartments on the long-vacant property.

Alliance Residential Co. expects to break ground later this year on the 257-apartment complex, said Bob Weston, a managing director with the Phoenix-based company.

The site, bounded by North Church Street, East North Street and Beattie Place, has been vacant since Memorial Auditorium was demolished in 1997. Other developers have explored the property numerous times over the years, but their plans never materialized.

Now, however, there’s a new factor in play, according to Weston.

“I think the difference now is how much momentum has been built in downtown Greenville,” he told GreenvilleOnline.com via email.

“It’s a much more desirable place to live and work, and the appeal of being downtown has increased substantially. That kind of change certainly helps the financial feasibility of projects like this.”

Weston said his company plans to break ground on the four-story development in the third quarter. The apartment complex should be open for business a year later, he said.

Weston declined to say how much Alliance Residential would charge for rent.

The complex would include two courtyards along North Church Street, a parking garage, 1,500-square-foot pool, leasing office and fitness center, according to plans on file at City Hall.

“We will absolutely be walkable to downtown,” Weston said.

Alliance Residential is working with the same architect that designed the Poinsett Corners condominium complex next to the Peace Center downtown, Weston said.